Torrid Class Action Lawsuit Settles $13.8M Fake Discount Lawsuit—728,502 Shoppers Will Get $15 Each (Here's How To Claim Yours)

Torrid LLC reached a $13.86 million settlement to resolve allegations the plus-size retailer deceived online shoppers with fake discounts between January 2020 and February 2025. Approximately 728,502 class members in California, Oregon, and Washington will each receive $15 cash or a $15 store voucher. Plaintiffs Shelby Cline, Crystal Jillson, Carmen Perez, and Cassaundra Maxwell claimed Torrid routinely displayed inflated “original” prices to create the illusion of substantial savings that never existed. The settlement awaits preliminary court approval—eligible shoppers should watch for official notices from Kroll Settlement Administration in coming months.

Case Status: Settlement agreement reached. Awaiting preliminary court approval. Once approved, claim forms will be sent to eligible class members.

What Is the Torrid Class Action Lawsuit About?

The Torrid class action lawsuit centers on “false reference pricing”—a deceptive practice where retailers display crossed-out “original” prices that products were never actually sold at, creating fake discounts to pressure consumers into purchases.

According to the 42-page complaint, Torrid misled customers by advertising false markdowns with inflated comparison reference prices, running perpetual “sales” that were allegedly not genuine limited-time offers, and creating artificial urgency for promotions that never actually ended. When one sitewide sale expired, another similar sale immediately began, making the “limited-time” offers continuous rather than special.

The lawsuit alleges Torrid violated consumer protection laws in three states: California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Washington’s Consumer Protection Act, and Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

Per court documents, Torrid regularly listed prices as discounted from purported reference prices at which items were never actually sold. Strike-through discounts on Torrid.com were “not representative of any former ‘regular price'” because items had “not been listed for sale or sold on the website, in the recent past and for a substantial time” at those inflated prices.

The Parties Involved: Shelby Cline and Torrid LLC

Named Plaintiffs:

Shelby Cline (lead plaintiff)
Crystal Jillson
Carmen Perez
Cassaundra Maxwell

All four women purchased products from Torrid.com and claim they would not have made purchases if they knew the advertised discounts were fabricated.

Defendant: Torrid LLC, a national plus-size fashion retailer operating Torrid.com and 600+ brick-and-mortar stores. Torrid began in 2001 as a Hot Topic subsidiary and offers apparel, accessories, swimwear, and lingerie in sizes 10-30.

Class Counsel:

Simon Franzini and Jonas Jacobson of Dovel & Luner, LLP
Gary M. Klinger and Alexander E. Wolf of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC

Defense Counsel: James P. Bennett and Benjamin J. Kittay of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Settlement Administrator: Kroll Settlement Administration LLC will handle all settlement notices, claim processing, and payments.

Key Legal Claims Explained

The Torrid lawsuit alleged multiple violations of state consumer protection statutes:

California Violations:

Business and Professions Code (Unfair Competition Law)
California Consumers Legal Remedies Act
False advertising prohibitions

Washington Violations:

Washington Consumer Protection Act

Oregon Violations:

Oregon Unlawful Trade Practices Act

Additional Claims:

Unjust enrichment
Intentional misrepresentation
Negligent misrepresentation
Deceptive trade practices

The core legal theory: Torrid systematically used “strike-through” price comparisons showing products as “on sale” from inflated “original” prices that were never the actual selling price. This violated statutes requiring reference prices to reflect genuine former prices at which substantial quantities were offered for sale.

Torrid denies all allegations and disputes that its advertising was deceptive, stating that “its advertising was accurate, lawful, and did not mislead consumers.” The company agreed to settle to avoid litigation costs and trial risks.

Timeline of Events Leading to the Settlement

January 1, 2020: Alleged deceptive pricing practices begin—class period starts

January 2020 – February 2025: Torrid allegedly displays perpetual fake discounts on Torrid.com across California, Oregon, and Washington

April 25, 2024: Crystal Jillson et al. v. Torrid LLC filed in United States District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:24-cv-03404)

Summer-Fall 2024: Extensive settlement negotiations between parties

February 14, 2025: Plaintiffs file Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice for original federal case

February 18, 2025: Class period ends—settlement cutoff date

2025 (Expected): Settlement receives preliminary court approval

2025 (Expected): Settlement notices mailed and emailed to class members via Kroll

2025 (Expected): Claim deadline for cash payments (likely 60-90 days after approval)

2025 (Expected): Final approval hearing held

2025-2026 (Expected): Settlement payments and vouchers distributed

Who Qualifies as a Class Member?

You qualify for compensation if you meet ALL three criteria:

✅ You purchased one or more products from Torrid.com

✅ Your billing address at time of purchase was in California, Oregon, or Washington

✅ Your purchase occurred between January 1, 2020, and February 18, 2025

Excluded from Settlement:

Anyone who validly opts out
Governmental entities
Counsel of record for the parties
Torrid and its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, and employees
Presiding judges and judicial staff
Anyone who entered into a prior release with Torrid

Important: You do NOT need receipts or order numbers. Settlement Class Members must attest under penalty of perjury that they were California, Oregon, or Washington residents who purchased products on Torrid.com during the Class Period.

How to Join the Class Action and Get Your $15

Settlement Process Timeline (What to Expect)

Step 1: Watch for Official Notices (Coming Soon)

Once the court grants preliminary approval, Kroll Settlement Administration will send official settlement notices via:

Email: To the address Torrid has on file from your most recent purchase
Mail: To your billing address

Step 2: Decide Your Benefit

You’ll choose between two options:

Option A: $15 Cash Payment

Requires filing a claim form by the deadline
Payment via check or electronic transfer
ACTION REQUIRED—you must file a claim

Option B: $15 Store Voucher (Automatic)

No action needed—sent automatically to your email
Valid online at Torrid.com or at any physical Torrid store
Non-expiring, transferable, combinable with other discounts
Applied before taxes and shipping

Step 3: File Your Claim (For Cash Only)

To receive cash instead of a voucher, you must:

Find Your Class Member ID: Located on the settlement notice from Kroll
Visit: TorridClassAction.com (official settlement website)
Click “Submit Claim”: Log in with your unique Class Member ID
Complete Form: Provide required information accurately
Submit Before Deadline: Claims must be filed before the court-set deadline

Alternative Filing Method:

Print the claim form from TorridClassAction.com and mail it postmarked by the deadline to:

Cline v. Torrid
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
P.O. Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391

Lost Your Class Member ID or Didn’t Receive Notice?

Contact the Settlement Administrator:

📞 Phone: (833) 890-5912
✉️ Email: [email protected]
📬 Mail: Cline v. Torrid, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391

If You Want to Opt Out or Object

Opting Out (Exclusion):

Mailing deadline will be set by the court (typically 60-90 days after preliminary approval). If you exclude yourself:

You will NOT receive any settlement benefit
You retain your right to sue Torrid separately
You cannot object to the settlement

Filing an Objection:

Objections must be mailed by the court-set deadline. If you object without excluding yourself:

You’ll still receive your settlement benefit if approved
You can speak at the final approval hearing
You remain bound by the settlement if approved

All objections must identify “Shelby Cline et al. v. Torrid LLC, Case No. 25CV10315” and be sent to the Settlement Administrator.

Legal Precedents and Similar Deceptive Pricing Cases

The Torrid settlement joins numerous retail false pricing class actions:

Recent Similar Settlements:

JC Penney (2024-2025): Multiple class actions over misleading sale prices
Purple Mattress (March 2025): $4M settlement for fake discount advertising
Foot Locker (2023): New York lawsuit over false urgency tactics claiming items “about to sell out”
Old Navy (2021): Settlement after accusations of inflated comparison prices
Sears (2019): $3M settlement for false reference pricing on tools
Kohl’s (2017): $6.1M settlement for “original price” violations

These cases establish clear precedent: retailers cannot display crossed-out “original” prices unless products were actually offered at those prices for a meaningful period (typically 28 days or more).

Legal Framework:

State consumer protection statutes require retailers to substantiate reference price claims. The Federal Trade Commission’s Guides Against Deceptive Pricing state that former prices must represent “the actual, bona fide price at which the article was offered to the public on a regular basis for a reasonably substantial period of time.”

Perpetual “sales” cycles violate these principles because no genuine discount exists if products are never sold at the inflated reference price.

Settlement Fund Breakdown

Torrid LLC agreed to pay $13,862,092.02 to fully resolve all claims. Here’s the allocation:

Total Settlement Fund: $13,862,092.02

Estimated Distribution:

Class Member Benefits: Each of 728,502 members receives $15 ($10,927,530 if all choose cash)
Attorney’s Fees: Up to $2,800,000 (subject to court approval)
Class Representative Service Awards: Payments to Shelby Cline, Crystal Jillson, Carmen Perez, and Cassaundra Maxwell for prosecuting the case on behalf of all class members
Administration Costs: Kroll Settlement Administration fees for notice, claims processing, and payment distribution

Critical Detail: These fees do NOT reduce your $15 benefit. Your payment is fixed regardless of how many claims are filed or whether you choose cash or voucher.

Expert Analysis and Implications for Consumers

Consumer protection attorneys view the Torrid settlement as another enforcement action against psychological pricing manipulation.

Professor Michael Navin, consumer law expert: “False reference pricing exploits the anchoring effect—consumers judge value based on the displayed ‘original’ price. When that anchor is fabricated, it’s classic bait-and-switch fraud.”

Key Consumer Takeaways:

Research actual price history before assuming you’re getting a deal (use tools like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon, Honey price tracking)
Be skeptical of constantly rotating “limited-time” sales—if the sale never ends, it’s not a sale
Screenshot prices and save promotional emails as evidence of potential violations
Report suspected deceptive pricing to your state attorney general

Industry Impact:

This settlement signals continued regulatory scrutiny of online retail pricing tactics. Companies must ensure reference prices reflect actual selling history, not inflated figures designed to manufacture urgency.

With 96% of class action settlement funds going unclaimed, eligible Torrid shoppers should act when notices arrive.

What Happens Next: Settlement Approval Process

Current Status: Settlement agreement signed. Case transferred to Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Multnomah (Case No. 25CV10315).

Expected Next Steps:

Preliminary Approval Motion Filed: Parties request court conditionally approve settlement and authorize notice to class
Preliminary Approval Granted: Judge reviews settlement fairness and orders notice distribution
Notice Period: Kroll sends emails and mail to 728,502 class members (60-90 day period)
Claim Deadline: Class members submit forms for cash payments
Objection/Exclusion Deadline: Typically same as or shortly after claim deadline
Final Approval Hearing: Court evaluates settlement fairness, attorney fee requests, objections
Final Order: If approved, settlement becomes binding
Payment Distribution: Approximately 60 days after final approval (unless appeals filed)
Appeals (If Any): Could delay payments 12+ months

Where to Monitor Case Progress:

Official Settlement Website: TorridClassAction.com (will launch after preliminary approval)
Oregon Court System: Case No. 25CV10315, Multnomah County Circuit Court
Class Counsel Websites: Dovel & Luner, LLP and Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC

Impact of Torrid’s Store Closures on Settlement

Important Clarification: Torrid announced plans to close up to 180 underperforming stores (approximately 30% of its brick-and-mortar footprint) as part of a strategic shift toward e-commerce, which already accounts for 70% of sales.

This does NOT affect settlement benefits:

$15 cash payments will be issued regardless of store closures
$15 vouchers remain valid at Torrid.com and any open physical locations
Vouchers do not expire
Vouchers are transferable if local stores close

The store optimization is a separate business decision unrelated to the lawsuit settlement.

FAQ: Common Questions About the Torrid Class Action Lawsuit

What is the Torrid class action lawsuit about?

The lawsuit claims Torrid LLC deceptively advertised discounts on Torrid.com by displaying inflated “original” prices that products were never sold at, violating California, Washington, and Oregon consumer protection laws. Plaintiffs alleged these fake reference prices misled shoppers into believing they were getting substantial discounts when prices were actually normal retail.

Who are the parties involved in the lawsuit?

Named plaintiffs are Shelby Cline (lead plaintiff), Crystal Jillson, Carmen Perez, and Cassaundra Maxwell. The defendant is Torrid LLC. The case is Shelby Cline et al. v. Torrid LLC, Case No. 25CV10315, in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon.

Who qualifies as a class member?

Anyone who purchased products from Torrid.com while residing in California, Oregon, or Washington (based on billing address) between January 1, 2020, and February 18, 2025. No proof of purchase required.

How can I join the class action and claim my $15?

You do NOT need to “join”—you’re automatically included if you meet the criteria. Once the court grants preliminary approval, Kroll Settlement Administration will send notices with claim instructions. To get $15 cash, you must file a claim form. If you do nothing, you automatically receive a $15 voucher by email.

When will I receive my settlement payment?

Payments and vouchers will be distributed approximately 60 days after the court grants final approval, provided no appeals are filed. Appeals could delay distribution 12+ months. Watch for official notices from Kroll with specific timelines.

Can I get both the cash and the voucher?

No. You must choose one benefit: either $15 cash (requires filing a claim) or $15 voucher (sent automatically if you don’t file a claim).

What if I don’t have my Torrid.com order records?

You don’t need receipts or order numbers. You’ll attest under penalty of perjury that you made qualifying purchases. Torrid’s internal records will be used to identify class members.

What happens if Torrid goes out of business before I get paid?

The settlement fund is separate from Torrid’s operating funds. Once approved, $13.86 million is set aside specifically for class member payments and cannot be touched for other business purposes.

How is this different from the Torrid data breach lawsuit?

The false pricing lawsuit is separate from a November 2024 data breach investigation involving Hot Topic, Torrid, and BoxLunch customer information. The data breach may result in a separate lawsuit. This settlement only covers false discount advertising between 2020-2025.

Can I still shop at Torrid if I’m part of the settlement?

Yes. The settlement does not restrict your ability to shop at Torrid. However, if you exclude yourself from the settlement, you retain the right to file your own individual lawsuit against Torrid for the same claims.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides factual information about the Torrid class action lawsuit (Shelby Cline et al. v. Torrid LLC) based on verified court documents, news sources, and legal filings. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Case details and status are subject to change as litigation progresses. For specific legal advice regarding similar matters, please consult with a qualified attorney. Always verify current case information through official court records, TorridClassAction.com (once launched), and reputable legal news sources.

Related Articles:

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah

Torrid Class Action Lawsuit Settles $13.8M Fake Discount Lawsuit—728,502 Shoppers Will Get $15 Each (Here’s How to Claim Yours)